Koala droppings found at Oxenford quarry as they prepare for expansion

The discovery of several koala droppings has sparked a wider investigation into the planned extension of a Gold Coast quarry.

The discovery of several koala droppings has sparked a wider investigation into the planned extension of the Oxenford quarry in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Despite spotlighting by consultants, no koalas have been found but quarry operator Nucrush has self-referred to federal authorities leading to a “controlled action” which requires more assessments.

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Trucks at the Oxenford quarry.

The Bulletin understands the population expansion in the Gold Coast’s north, which has caused new suburbs to move closer to the quarry, may have encouraged koalas to enter buffer zones around the work site.

Initial field surveys confirmed the “study area” contained no threatened ecological communities and was unlikely to have any threatened flora species.

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But ecological consultants BAAM, in their report, said: “Koala evidence — scats — was found at a number of locations within the study area during the current survey.”

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Workers on site at the Oxenford quarry on the Gold Coast. Photograph by David Chatfield.

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Consultants noted that “one or more koalas” had been found within 2kms of the edge of the impact area of the quarry within the past five years.

The State Government’s environmental mapping showed the quarry area had vegetation communities containing several known koala food trees.

About 18ha of habitat is to be removed and 11ha replaced along with pathways improved for wildlife. The number of koalas using the area was considered “very low”.

“Overall, there is a moderate chance the proposed action would lead to a significant impact upon koala, based primarily on the total amount of habitat being removed,” the consultant report said.

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The Oxenford quarry on the Gold Coast. Photograph by David Chatfield.

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Nucrush CEO Declan Mackle said the department would apply conditions on the removal and management of vegetation along with offsets.

“No koalas were observed by ecologists who surveyed Nucrush land during many hours of daytime surveys and night time spotlighting,” Mr Mackle said.

“Scats or droppings were found at a number of locations on the buffer land that Nucrush own, this indicates koala have entered the site previously.”

Mr Mackle said land surrounding the quarry owned by the company which was either cleared or degraded would be planted with native koala trees providing more than 10ha of new habitat.

“Rehabilitation of disturbed areas will happen progressively, once extraction is progressively completed,” he said.

Mr Mackle said Nucrush would provide a rehabilitation management plan to the Environment Department.

It is unlikely the company will need to produce an environmental impact assessment.

As the project progresses through council Nucrush has conducted community consultation sessions, detailing to residents how it intends to protect about 56 per cent of the total site area of 151ha of its property on the eastern side of the Coomera River.